D-II heavyweights slug it out in Warrensburg

The No. 2 Central Missouri Mules shot 78% in the second half and won 115-99 over No. 7 Southwest Baptist on Wednesday night. SBU was without All-American center, and the nation’s preseason Player of the Year, Matt Rogers, who sat out with an ankle injury.

The 115 scored by the Mules was the most for UCM since a game against Graceland in 1998, and the most against an MIAA opponent since putting up 118 against Missouri-Rolla in 1974. The Mules (5-0, 1-0 MIAA) pushed their home court winning streak to 24 games. The Bearcats (7-2, 0-1 MIAA) scored 90+ points for the sixth time this season despite the loss.

Alex Moosmann led six Mules in double-figures, scoring a career-high 28 points on 10-of-12 shooting, including 6-of-6 from three point range. Sanijay Watts scored 22, going over the 20-point mark for the fourth time this season.

SBU was led by Tristan Steele and Tomas Brock, both who had career highs in the absence of Rogers. Steele led the Bearcats with 16 points. After the game, SBU coach Jeff Giuot talked about missing Rogers. “Matt really wanted to play, it’s his senior year and he’s worked hard. We waited until today to decide to play him. Regardless, we have to get better defensively. We were never on the same page. We have to stop the ball screens, which was their bread and butter. They were tougher than us on the boards. UCM got every 50/50 ball.”